Systems and methods of providing a ball collector system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a ball collector system. While the ball collector system can have any suitable component, in some cases it includes a trough, a backdrop that is configured to catch a ball and redirect it toward the trough, and/or a collector that is configured to collect the ball from the trough. In some cases, related methods include dampening a movement of the ball using the backdrop, changing a trajectory of the ball to direct it to the trough, moving the ball along the trough to a designated location, and/or collecting the ball from the trough using the collector. Other implementations are described.

RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional, utility patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/334,122, filed Apr. 23, 2022, and entitled “APPARATUS FOR CATCHING AND COLLECTING TENNIS BALLS”; the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many sports (such as tennis) involve the use of a large quantity of balls when practicing various aspects of the sport, as well as in playing the sport casually or competitively. For example, the usage of many tennis balls during tennis play or practice may lead to tennis players being required to pause practice or play to pick up stray tennis balls to keep the field clear or to replenish their ball supply. Such rounds of tennis ball collection may cause interruptions, break a player's focus, and take time away from practice or play. Additionally, stray tennis balls may pose a safety hazard to tennis players (or players of another sport) because such players may slip on a stray ball and become injured as a result.

Various methods to solve the stray ball problem have been attempted. For example, professional tennis matches often make use of employees who collect stray balls as soon as they leave the court. More amateur players may simply pause a game or practice to collect the balls. Coaches or other individuals may use handheld ball collector systems. Each of these methods can require a stoppage of play or an extra person to collect the balls—something that can be inconvenient for sports enthusiasts who play or practice alone.

Thus, while there are conventional methods for collecting balls, challenges still exist, including those listed above. Accordingly, it would an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques with other techniques.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some implementations, the described systems and methods relate to ball collection. More specifically, the described systems and methods relate to a ball collector system. While the ball collector system can include any suitable component that allows it to collect one or more balls, some implementations of the ball collector system have one or more troughs. In some implementations, the ball collector system has one or more backdrops that are configured to catch a ball and to redirect it toward the trough. In some cases, the ball collector system has one or more collectors that are configured to collect the ball from the trough(s).

Although a backdrop can include any suitable component that allows the backdrop to catch a ball and direct it to the trough, in some implementations, the backdrop includes one or more anchors that are configured to secure the backdrop to one or more surfaces or supports. In some implementations, the backdrop includes one or more body portions and/or one or more skirt portions.

Although a trough can include any suitable component that is configured to receive a ball from the backdrop and to direct the ball to a desired location, in some cases the trough is coupled to the skirt portion of the backdrop. In some iterations, the trough is configured to form a depression (e.g., a groove, gutter, or other depression) that slopes toward a low point, thereby directing the ball to roll toward the low point.

Although a collector can include any suitable component for collecting a ball, and the collector can be used in connection with other aspects of the ball collector system in any suitable manner, in some implementations, the collector is situated within and/or adjacent to the depression of the trough at the low point. In some implementations, the collector includes one or more lifts. In some implementations, the collector includes one or more channels. In some implementations, the lift or lifts are configured to cause the ball to move through the channel(s) to one or more designated locations.

Although the channel can include any suitable channel having any suitable components, in some implementations the channel includes one or more tubes and/or conduits.

Additionally, although the lift can include any suitable lift having any suitable components, in some implementations the lift includes a motor (and/or any other suitable actuator). As an example, in some cases, the motor powers a driver that is configured to propel the ball through the channel. In some implementations, the driver comprises a wheel (e.g., a wheel that is configured to spin to propel the ball through the channel).

In some implementations, the instant systems and methods include a method for collecting balls. Although the method can include any suitable step using any suitable component to aid in the collection of balls, in some cases, the method includes dampening a movement of the ball and/or catching the ball using one or more backdrops. In some cases, the method includes catching and/or changing a trajectory of the ball to direct it to one or more troughs. In some implementations, the method includes moving the ball along the trough(s) to one or more designated locations. Further, in some instances, the method includes collecting the ball from the trough(s) using one or more collectors.

Although the collector can include any suitable collector with any suitable components, in some implementations, the collector comprises one or more lifts and/or channels. In some implementations, collecting the ball from the trough using the collector includes engaging the ball with the lift. In some implementations, collecting the ball from the trough using the collector includes using the lift to cause the ball to move along the channel to a predetermined point or location.

While using the lift to cause the ball to move along the channel to the predetermined point can include any suitable techniques for doing so, in some implementations, this includes propelling the ball along the channel using one or more drivers. In some configurations, the driver is powered by a motor. In some cases, the driver comprises a wheel.

Although the method can include any suitable additional features, in some implementations the method includes one or more setup elements. For example, in some instances, the method further includes spreading the backdrop to cover an area. In some cases, the method further includes placing the trough so that it is positioned along a skirt portion of the backdrop. In some implementations, the method further includes placing the collector on or adjacent to the trough.

In certain implementations, the systems and methods include one or more collectors. While the collector can include any suitable component to assist in the collection of balls, in some implementations, the collector includes one or more lifts. For example, in some implementations the collector includes a first lift, and in some instantiations the collector includes a second lift. In some implementations, the first lift faces or extends in a first direction, and in some implementations, the second lift faces or extends in a second direction. In some implementations, the second lift is positioned substantially opposite to the first lift.

Although the lift (or lifts, as the case may be) may include any suitable component, in some implementations, the lift includes one or more channels with an entrance and an exit. In some implementations, the lift includes one or more drivers. In some implementations, the driver is configured to act on a ball near the entrance of the channel to draw the ball into the channel. In some implementations, the driver is configured to propel the ball through the channel towards or out of the exit of the channel.

Although the driver can include any suitable component capable of moving a ball, in some implementations, the driver includes one or more wheels (e.g., gears, spinning objects, or other wheels). In some implementations, the lift includes one or more motors or actuators configured to power the driver (for example, if the driver is a wheel, by causing the wheel to spin).

Although implementations in which the driver is a wheel can be configured in any suitable manner to move a ball, in some implementations, the wheel is positioned within the entrance to the channel, such that when a ball is situated within, near, or otherwise in proximity to the channel, the wheel can interact with the ball. In some instances, the wheel is elevated and configured to spin such that the wheel is configured to engage with a top surface (or any other suitable portion) of the ball when the ball is placed near the entrance. Thus, in some instances, the wheel can “grab” the ball by exerting a force on the surface, pull the ball into the channel, and exert sufficient force on the ball to propel the ball along the channel (against gravity or otherwise). In some implementations, a distance between the wheel and a ground surface is slightly less than a diameter of the ball, such that the wheel can interact with the ball when the ball is resting on the ground surface.

Although the ball collector system can be operated in any suitable manner, in some implementations, the ball collector system is configured to be operated remotely. For example, some implementations of the ball collector system include an operating environment having one or more processors, one or more transmitters, one or more operating systems, one or more system busses, one or more networks, and/or any other suitable components. In some implementations, the processor is configured to receive a signal from the transmitter and cause the motor to switch between an “on” configuration and an “off” configuration.

According to some implementations, the described systems include a tennis ball catching and collecting mechanism that is sufficiently portable to be temporarily set up for practice at a public tennis court. According to some implementations, the described systems can be installed in a permanent or a semi-permanent manner. According to some implementations, the ball collector system can be transported in ordinary vehicles and then carried and set up by a single person in a common public tennis court over a relatively short duration of time, as well as be removed and taken away without great difficulty. This portability affords a tennis player on-the-go or of common means to efficiently practice tennis without an assistant to gather stray balls.

Additionally, according to some implementations, the ball collector system is sufficiently tall, wide, expansive, and low to the ground that, if used in connection with tennis balls, most or nearly all tennis balls struck within bounds on a corresponding tennis court are caught and collected.

According to some implementations, the ball collector system is configured to return tennis balls to one or more feed hoppers of one or more standard tennis ball machines or custom tennis ball machines. Thus, a constant loop of tennis ball collection and service to a tennis player may be maintained.

While the described systems and methods are configured to collect one or more tennis balls, the described systems can be used and/or easily be modified for use with any other suitable type of ball. Indeed, in some cases, the described systems and methods are used to collect one or more baseballs, softballs, table tennis balls, racquet balls, squash balls, pickle balls, baseballs, basketballs, golf balls, soccer balls, footballs, whiffle balls, and/or any other suitable type of balls.

The various elements, examples, and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to any of the other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the described systems and methods will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only some typical embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting in scope, the described systems and methods will be set forth and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal perspective view of a ball collector system in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates another frontal perspective view of the ball collector system in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal elevation view of a backdrop and a trough, in accordance with an embodiment of various components of the ball collector system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal perspective view of a collector portion of the ball collector system shown in FIGS. 1-2 in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a frontal perspective view of a bottom portion of a collector in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a rear perspective view of another representative embodiment of the collector;

FIG. 7A shows a frontal perspective view of a bottom portion of a lift of the collector in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 7B shows a side elevation view of a bottom portion of the lift of the collector in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIGS. 8A-8B each illustrate methods relating to ball collection in accordance with some representative embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a representative system that provides a suitable operating environment for use with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a representative embodiment of a networked system that provides a suitable operating environment for use with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a contour (e.g., tension pattern) of a backdrop and the backdrop's connection to a trough in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a general effect of the tension pattern of FIG. 11 on the path of a ball caught by various portions of a backdrop, in accordance with some representative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is to be understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different sizes and configurations. Thus, the Figures may show simplified or partial views, and the dimensions of elements in the Figures may be exaggerated or otherwise not in exact proportion. It is expected that the described systems and methods may take many other forms, shapes, and variations. Hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims. Additionally, while the following disclosure is grouped into subheadings, the utilization of subheadings is for convenience of the reader only and is not to be construed as limiting in any sense.

According to some embodiments, the described systems and methods relate to a ball collector system 15. Although the ball collector system can be used in connection with a variety of objects, in some embodiments, the ball collector system is configured and optimized to be used for the collection of sports balls 50 (e.g., tennis balls, baseballs, basketballs, golf balls, soccer balls, footballs, whiffle balls, pickle balls, racquetballs, or other sports balls). In some particular embodiments, the ball collector system is configured and optimized for the collection of tennis balls. As an example, the ball collector system can dampen the motion of a ball (e.g., catch a tennis ball that was hit from one side of the court to the other) and redirect or relocate the ball to a specific designated location (e.g., to a ball hopper).

Although the ball collector system 15 can include any suitable component that improves the ball collector system's ability to do any or all of the foregoing, in some embodiments (and as shown in FIGS. 1-2 ) the ball collector system includes one or more of the following components: a backdrop 20; a trough 40; and/or a collector 60.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 11-12 , some embodiments of the backdrop 20 are configured to stop or dampen the motion of a moving object, such as a sports ball 50. For example, some embodiments of the backdrop are configured to stop an object (e.g., a ball) in motion by deforming upon being struck by the object and absorbing some of the object's kinetic energy. In some embodiments the backdrop is configured to allow the kinetic energy of a moving object to spread out across a relatively large portion of the backdrop (e.g., due to the nature of the material from which the backdrop is made and the level of tension in the backdrop).

Although the backdrop 20 can be made from any suitable material or combination of materials, in some embodiments, the backdrop is made from or otherwise comprises one or more of types of netting, canvas, fabric, tarp, plastic, metal, wood, paper, cardboard, sheeting, and/or any other material capable of changing the motion of a moving object (e.g., a solid baffle, a deflector, etc.). Some embodiments of the backdrop include multiple sections, such as one more body portions 22 and/or one or more skirt portions 24. In some embodiments, the skirt portion is configured to contact, rest on, connect with, or extend to the ground and/or the trough 40. In some embodiments, the skirt portion has one or more different characteristics than the body portion. For example, some embodiments of the skirt portion optionally have less (or more) tension than the body portion, a different height and/or width, a different material composition, and/or any other desirable characteristics.

In some embodiments, the backdrop 20 includes one or more anchoring systems for attaching the backdrop to one or more objects or surfaces. As an example, the backdrop may be stretched across the back of a play area and/or across another suitable location (a front of a play area, a side of a play area, a back of a play area, and/or any other suitable location) where there is a desire to stop and collect moving objects. In this example, the backdrop may be anchored to any suitable object or objects, such as one or more fences, posts, trees, stakes, pillars, lines, frames, scaffolds, strands, poles, stanchions, inflatable supports, and/or any other suitable stable surfaces. Indeed, in some embodiments, the backdrop is selectively coupled to one or more anchoring poles. Some embodiments of the anchoring system include one or more upper anchor lines 32, one or more lower anchor lines 34, one or more anchors 36 (e.g., to attach the upper and lower anchor lines, or to attach the backdrop directly, to any suitable surfaces), and/or any other suitable components. Although upper and lower anchor lines (and other anchor lines) can be any suitable component capable of suspending or supporting the backdrop, in some cases one or more of the lines include one or more ropes, cords, chains, springs, rods, poles, bungees, sheets, cables, straps, or other lines. Similarly, the anchors can be any suitable component capable of anchoring or coupling (whether permanently, temporarily, or selectively) anchor lines (or other parts of the backdrop or other components of the ball collector system) to a surface or another object, but in some cases one or more of the anchors include one or more hooks, bolts, ties, screws, fasteners, latches, catches, buttons, clips, snaps, clasps, winches, pins, ropes, or other couplers.

In some embodiments, the body portion 22 of the backdrop 20 extends between the upper anchor line 32 and the lower anchor line 34, while the skirt portion 24 extends below the lower anchor line. Some embodiments optionally have a head portion 26 (e.g., any extension of the backdrop, whether of the same material or a different material, such as a baffle or another extension) that extends above the upper anchor line (e.g., to catch balls that would otherwise pass above the upper anchor line). In some embodiments, one or more of the anchor lines include one or more adjustment systems 48 (e.g., a pully system, tensioners, ratchet, motor, actuator, and/or any other suitable mechanism is capable of selectively adjusting an anchor line) allowing the tension of the relevant anchor line(s) to be selectively adjusted. In some embodiments, the adjustment systems are connected to a server such that they are configured to be adjusted remotely (e.g., as described below).

While the backdrop 20 may have any suitable dimensions (i.e., height and width) that allows it function as described herein, in some embodiments, the backdrop is tall enough to extend from the ground (or a point near the ground) to above the top of sports fencing (e.g., a tennis court fence, a baseball fence, etc.). In some embodiments, the backdrop is wide enough to span the entire width of a sports complex (such as a baseball park or tennis court). As an example, some embodiments of the backdrop are between one meter and one-hundred meters tall (or within any subrange thereof) and anywhere from two meters to five-hundred meters wide (or within any subrange thereof). Indeed, in some implementations, the backdrop is between two meters and five meters tall and three meters and fifteen meters wide. In some implementations, the height and/or width of the backdrop is adjustable (e.g., manually, mechanically, automatically, and/or in any other suitable manner), such as by rolling and/or folding the backdrop, by adding extension pieces, by stretching or condensing the backdrop, or by adjusting the dimensions of the backdrop in another suitable manner.

In some embodiments, the tension of the backdrop 20 is optimized to catch a ball 50 or another moving object. For example, in some cases the backdrop is configured so that a collision between a ball and the backdrop is sufficiently inelastic that the ball would bounce no more than one meter off the backdrop after impacting it at approximately fifty miles per hour or less. In some cases, the backdrop is configured to be sufficiently inelastic that a tennis ball hit anywhere within the range of ordinary human power would not ricochet off the backdrop upon striking it, but rather would be “caught” by the backdrop and maintain contact with the backdrop until it rolled or fell off the backdrop into the trough 40.

Some embodiments of the backdrop 20 include one or more additional components to further dampen the motion of a moving object. For example, the backdrop may include a line (e.g., a rope, a webbing, a bungee, a cord, a chain, or any other line) running across the length or the height of the backdrop (e.g., upper anchor line 32, lower anchor line 34, or any other line) to further dampen the momentum of objects caught or slow their fall to more consistently direct the objects into or onto the trough 40. As an example, some embodiments of the backdrop include a backing (e.g., a net, a sheet, a canvas, a tarp, a chain, a fence) behind and parallel to the backdrop, integrated into the backdrop, or otherwise located in proximity to the backdrop in a manner that will assist the backing in dampening the movement (e.g., absorbing kinetic energy) of an object that strikes the backdrop.

Some embodiments of the backdrop 20 are (or are configured to be) spread across a play area (or another area) at an angle. For example, in some instances the backdrop is suspended at an angle such that the top of the backdrop is farther from a user than the bottom of the backdrop so that a ball 50 impacting the net from direction of the user may roll down the angled backdrop toward the trough.

As illustrated by FIGS. 11-12 , in some embodiments the backdrop 20 includes one or more contours. While the contours may include any suitable characteristic to aid the backdrop in catching and/or directing a ball 50, in some embodiments the contours include one or more wrinkles, pockets, grooves, channels, areas of lesser (or greater) tension, padded areas, waves, or other contours. In some cases, the contours form pockets or channels of lesser tension, which aid in guiding a ball to remain within such contours as they travel toward the trough 40. In some cases (and as shown in FIG. 12 ), the contours slope toward a designated location, such as toward a collector 60. This can impart lateral motion to a ball 50, making it so that a trough 40 does not need to have as great of a slope in order to assist the ball in reaching the collector. In some cases, the contours are formed due to lines (e.g., ropes, cords, bungees, cables, chains, nets, or other lines) running through the backdrop 20 in a vertical, substantially vertical, or angled manner so as to form channels or grooves. In some cases (and as shown in FIG. 11 ), an attachment mechanism between the backdrop 20 and the trough 40 results in increased tension along substantially vertical (or angled) portions of the backdrop where the backdrop couples to the trough, thereby contributing to the contouring of the backdrop.

In some embodiments, the backdrop 20 includes one or more targets, such as any component configured to designate specific areas of the backdrop (e.g., paint, a decal, a colored portion, or any other designator that can aid a user in aiming for a specific portion of the backdrop). In some cases, the targets align with contours of the backdrop.

In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ), the trough 40 is configured to redirect a ball 50 toward a specific location, such as toward the collector 60. As an example, after the motion of a ball is dampened by the backdrop 20, the ball may bounce, fall, and/or roll off the backdrop and land in or on the trough, and then roll (or otherwise move or be moved) along the trough to the designated location (e.g., to the collector, where the collector can then collect the ball).

Although the trough 40 can include any suitable component that may allow or assist a ball in moving from one location to another (e.g., from where the ball lands in the trough to the collector 60), some embodiments of the trough include one or more of any of the following: a depression of the trough, a low point of the trough, a trough anchoring system, an inner anchor line 52, an outer anchor line 54, and an anchor 36.

In some embodiments, the trough 40 does not necessarily need to be shaped like a traditional “trough” but rather may be substantially flat or have any other suitable shape or contours. That said, in some embodiments, the trough is substantially trough shaped (e.g., a grove, a gutter, a channel, an elongated V-shape or U-shape, etc.), with an inside edge, an outside edge, and a depression that is lower than the inside edge and the outside edge. In some such configurations, a ball can be situated in the trough and one or more guides, rails, bars, barriers, embankments, surfaces, edges, and/or other “walls” of the trough can prevent the ball from rolling out of or off of the trough (e.g., with such walls created by the inside edge and/or the outside edge being elevated above a bottom portion). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the trough includes one or more low points. For example, some embodiments of the trough have a low point at approximately the middle (and/or at another location along a length of the trough) so that balls in or on the trough roll toward the low point due to the influence of gravity.

The trough 40 can be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the trough is made from or contains one or more rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as one or more types of plastic, glass, cement, wood, PVC, fiber glass, metal, ceramic, metal alloy, synthetic material, natural material, and/or any other rigid or semi-rigid material. In some embodiments, the trough is built-in to a court, other playing surface, and/or in any other desirable location (e.g., the trough can be formed of an indent or trench dug into the ground or otherwise formed into another surface). In some embodiments in which the trough comprises a rigid or semi-rigid portion, the trough has one or more feet, legs, braces, trusses, frames, and/or any other suitable supports that are configured to raise one portion of the trough above another portion. Moreover, in some embodiments, the trough has multiple pieces, such that the trough may be easily assembled, disassembled, and/or adjusted.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in some embodiments the trough 40 is constructed of non-rigid materials, such as one or more tarps, canvasses, sheets, fabrics, blankets, semi-tubular materials, and/or other flexible materials. For example, some embodiments of the trough include one or more relatively long sheets of material that can extend across a playing surface and/or another suitable location (e.g., capable of extending across the entire or partial width of the backdrop 20). In some embodiments in which the trough comprises a non-rigid portion, the trough includes one or more trough anchoring systems. Although the trough anchoring system can be any system suitable for securing the trough in a desired location and configuration, in some embodiments, the trough anchoring system includes one or more inner anchor lines 52, one or more outer anchor lines 54, and/or one or more anchors 36.

In some embodiments, an inner anchor line 52 is coupled to an inner edge and/or any other suitable portion of the trough 40, and, in some embodiments, an outer anchor line 54 is coupled to an outer edge and/or any other suitable portion of the trough. While the anchor lines may be coupled in the trough material in any suitable manner, in some embodiments, the lines pass through one or more pockets in the trough material (e.g., a tube, cable, rope, chain, line, catch, hook, or other feature integrated into the trough material by: sewing; welding; one or more adhesives, selective engagements (e.g., hook and loop fasteners, snaps, catches, hooks, and/or any other engagements that are configured to electively couple one or more lines to the trough), frictional engagements, mechanical engagements, fasteners, and/or any other suitable attachment mechanisms or devices; and/or otherwise attaching an edge (or any other suitable portion) of the trough material to a portion in proximity to the edge to allow for an anchor line to pass through). Moreover, some embodiments have only a single anchor line or no anchor line (e.g., a trough that has an outer anchor line, but is coupled to the backdrop to support the inner edge as opposed to using an inner anchor line). For example, in some embodiments the corners (and/or any other suitable portions) of the fabric or other material that forms at least a portion of the trough may be directly coupled to one or more desired anchoring surfaces.

In some embodiments, the trough 40 further includes one or more anchors 36. While the anchors may be any suitable anchors, in some embodiments, the anchors comprise one or more clips, hooks, ropes, fasteners, tensible straps (e.g., having a ratchet), catches, mechanical engagements, frictional engagements, stakes, weights, foundations, and/or any other suitable coupler that is configured to attach an anchor line (and/or a piece of the trough) to a surface or to the backdrop 20.

In some embodiments, the width, height, length, slope, depth, and other features of the trough 40 is/are adjustable. As an example, some embodiments have an inner anchor line 52 and an outer anchor line 54 which may be anchored (e.g., via anchors 36) to various surfaces such that the inner and outer anchor lines may be any distance apart (thereby allowing the user to select the width and depth of the trough by modulating the distance between the lines), and they may be coupled to a surface (e.g., a pole, fence, tree, or any other surface) at any height, thereby allowing the user (or other party setting up the ball collector system 15) to set an elevation of all or part of the trough.

Related to the foregoing, and as with the backdrop 20, some embodiments of the trough 40 are anchored to one or more surfaces. In such embodiments, the trough can be anchored to any suitable surface, such as to one or more posts, pillars, trees, rocks, signs, nets, walls, hooks, lines, rings, supports, inflatable supports, stanchions, playing courts, flooring surfaces, and/or any other suitable surface. In some embodiments, however, the trough is anchored to a fence. For example, an anchor on a first side of an inner anchor line 52 may be attached to a first fence, an anchor or a second side of the inner anchor line may be attached to a second fence on an opposite side of a playing area (e.g., a tennis court), a first side of an outer anchor line 54 can be attached to the first fence, and a second side of the outer anchor line can be attached to the second fence in such a manner as to allow the ends of the trough to be suspended off the ground, close enough together that the trough forms a depression or other receptacle in which a ball can reside, but also such that a collector 60 can be placed on the trough at the middle or at another point (e.g., so as to weigh down the material and cause the trough to slope toward the collector such that a ball 50 situated within the trough would roll toward the collector under the influence of gravity). Such embodiments provide a specific advantage in that the collector can be moved in such a manner so as to shift the low point of the trough, as the collector (in some embodiments) weighs down part of the trough, causing the low point to be where the collector is situated. Thus, if used in connection with a tennis court and tennis balls, a player can (in some embodiments) shift the location of the collector in order to place the collector in an optimal location.

In some embodiments, one or both ends of the trough 40 are elevated through the inflation of one or more inflatable air bladders 46. For example, an air bladder on each end of the trough may be inflated, causing the ends of the trough to elevate off the ground, while the middle region and/or any other desired portions of the trough are not raised to such a degree. Accordingly, a natural grade can be formed where balls roll, due to gravity, from the inflated ends (and/or other suitable portions) toward the uninflated middle (where the collector may be located). In some embodiments, the trough includes two or more fluidically connected air bladders, such that each air bladder may be inflated simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the trough 40 includes one or more ramps placed at one or more of the elevated ends of the trough, such that a ball 50 rolling toward an elevated end of the trough would not go underneath the trough, but rather would roll up the ramp and into (or onto) the trough.

In some embodiments, the trough 40 includes a mover configured to move balls toward the collector (or assist the balls in moving toward the collector). While the mover may include any component useful for moving balls toward the collector, in some embodiments the mover comprises one or more shakers (e.g., vibrators), blowers, vacuums, augers, moving catches, twisting coils, conveyor belts, chains with one or more catches, lines with one or more catches (e.g., a rope, in some embodiments having knots tied (or other suitable ball catches disposed) along its length, with the rope formed in a loop, and configured to continually move in a looped motion in order to pull balls toward the collector).

In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11 ), the backdrop 20 is coupled or attached to the trough 40 (e.g., via one or more removable fasteners like one or more pins, carabiners, eyelets, grommets, pawls, hooks, loops, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro® fasteners), frictional engagements, mechanical engagements, and/or any other suitable removable fastener, or via one or more non-removable attachments, such as via sewing, fusing, welding, melting, integrally forming, and/or using one or more adhesives). In other embodiments, the backdrop is not coupled or attached to the trough, but rather the two components are positioned in proximity to each other in such a manner that balls redirected by the backdrop naturally fall or are otherwise directed into (or onto) the trough.

According to some embodiments of the described systems and methods, the ball collector system 15 includes one or more collectors 60. Indeed, some embodiments of the described system have the collector without an accompanying backdrop 20 and/or trough 40, while some embodiments include a ball collector system with a backdrop, a trough, and a collector (or multiple of the foregoing).

In some embodiments, the collector 60 moves a ball 50 from one location to another location, such as by using power to move a ball from a location in the trough (e.g., near the ground and/or any other suitable location) into a container and/or to another more convenient location.

The collector 60 can move balls from the trough 40 to any other desired location (e.g., a pitching machine) in any suitable manner, including, without limitation, through the use of one or more vacuums, fans, blowers, actuators, wheels, augers, twisting coils, chains with catches, lines with catches, and/or in any other suitable manner. In some embodiments, however and as illustrated in FIGS. 4-7B, the collector 60 includes one or more of: housings 62; lifts (such as a first lift 64 and/or a second lift 66); stabilizers 68; channels 70, entrances 72, exits 74, curved portions 76, actuators or other motors 80, drivers 82, batteries (or other power supplies) 84, hoppers 90, pitchers 92, and/or any other suitable component or components.

In some embodiments, the collector 60 includes one or more housings 62. In such embodiments, the housing can serve any suitable function, including, without limitation, functioning to couple one or more components or to hold various components of the collector together. In some embodiments, the housing conceals certain components of the collector (e.g., one or more batteries 84, power supplies, motors 80, drivers 82, etc.), thus increasing the aesthetic appeal, safety, security, durability, and/or other desirable characteristics of the collector. This notwithstanding, in some embodiments, the housing is optional, removable, and/or customizable.

In some embodiments, the collector 60 includes one or more lifts. For instance, in some embodiments, the collector includes two, three, four, five, six, or more lifts, such as a first lift 64 and a second lift 66. In some embodiments with two or more lifts, the lifts face (or accept and/or release balls) in the same direction. In some other embodiments in which the collector comprises multiple lifts, the lifts are permanently or selectively configured to face (or accept and/or release balls) in opposite or different directions and/or are positioned on opposite sides of the collector, or they are otherwise configured to operate in different directions or from different positions. Thus, as an example, one lift can transport balls that roll toward the collector from a first direction, while another lift can transport balls that roll toward the collector from a second direction. In such cases, the lifts may transport the balls to a single location (e.g., into a single hopper 90) and/or to different locations (e.g., into two or more separate ball service machines having different speed settings or placed at different locations). Some embodiments of a lift are configured to release balls in the same direction from which the balls were accepted, whereas some embodiments are configured to release balls in a different direction.

Regardless of whether the collector 60 includes one lift, a first lift 64 and a second lift 66, or more than two lifts, each lift may operate in any suitable manner that transports a ball from one location to a more convenient or desirable location. As with the other components discussed herein, discussion of “a lift” or “the lift” as follows applies to any number of lifts; and one, two, or more lifts can have any of the characteristics described in any of the following embodiments or any other suitable components.

In some embodiments having a lift (e.g., lift 64 and/or 66), the lift includes one or more stabilizers 68. In this regard, the stabilizer can be or include any suitable component for stabilizing the lift (e.g., to increase the durability of the lift, to decrease undesired movement of the lift, and/or to otherwise stabilize the lift). In some embodiments having two or more lifts, the stabilizer couples to multiple lifts together, thereby stabilizing each lift and allowing the lifts to derive strength from the structural integrity of the other lift(s). In some embodiments, the stabilizer includes a bar linking two or more lifts together (e.g., at any point along the lifts, whether that be near the base, near the top, at a curved portion 76, and/or at any other suitable location). In some embodiments, the stabilizer braces the lift (or lifts) against the ground, a hopper 90, and/or any other suitable surface.

Some embodiments of the lift include one or more channels 70. While the channel may be any suitable channel, track, guide, tube, and/or other structure providing a ball with a path along which it may travel, in some embodiments, the channel comprises a tube, thereby allowing the ball to travel only along a set path defined by the tube. In some embodiments, the channel includes one or more entrances 72 and/or exits 74. In some embodiments, the channel contains one or more interior structures that encourage unilateral motion, thereby discouraging or preventing the ball from moving in a retrograde direction (e.g., away from the exit and toward the entrance). In some embodiments, the channel includes one or more curved portions 76, to thereby define a path that redirects the motion of a ball to guide the ball to a desired location. In some embodiments, the channel is freely adjustable. (e.g., via one or more knobs, via manual movement of a flexible channel, and/or any other suitable adjustment mechanisms). For example, such adjustment of the channel can allow the channel to lead to a different location (e.g., a different hopper 90 or pitcher 92). In some embodiments, the channel is constructed in such a manner so as to retain its general shape and configuration unless a user adjusts it.

In some embodiments, the exit 74 of the channel 70 includes a damper. The damper may include any suitable component capable of slowing down a ball 50 as it leaves the exit, but in some embodiments the damper includes one or more reducers, constrictions, brushes, frictional engagements, or other features that reduce the speed or rotation of the ball as it exits the channel, thus reducing the likelihood of the ball bouncing out of the hopper 90. As an example, in some embodiments a diameter of the channel is smaller near the exit 74 than near the entrance 72.

In some embodiments, the lift includes one or more motors 80 that power one or more drivers 82. The motor can be any suitable motor capable of powering a driver, such as a gas motor, an electric motor, a brushless motor, a brushed motor, a direct drive motor, a linear motor, a stepper motor, an AC motor, a DC motor, an actuator, a hydrostatic driver, a hydraulic driver, and/or any other type of suitable motor capable of powering a driver. In some embodiments, a single motor powers multiple drivers (e.g., drivers of multiple lifts or multiple drivers of a single lift). In some embodiments, a single motor powers a single driver. In some other embodiments, multiple motors power a single driver. Although the motor can run on any suitable power supply (including, without limitation, mains electricity, utility power, solar power, one or more batteries, one or more generators, and/or any other suitable power supply), in some embodiments, the motor is powered by one or more batteries 84 and/or one or more corded power supplies configured to connect to an electrical outlet.

In some embodiments, the lift includes one or more drivers 82. The driver (or drivers) can be any suitable component capable of moving a ball from one location to another. That said, in some embodiments, the driver comprises one or more wheels, vacuums, blowers, pistons, augers, twisting coils, looped lines with one or more catches, hammers, or a combination of any of the foregoing. It is worth noting that the driver may be placed in any suitable location. For example, some embodiments of the driver are located at or near an entrance 72 of a channel 70, but some embodiments of the driver are located at or near an exit 74 of the channel. For example, if the driver comprises a vacuum, it may be desirable to locate the driver (or the vacuum component of the driver) away from the entrance in order to provide more suction power on a ball 50 traveling through the channel. Similarly, if the driver includes a blower, it may be desirable for the driver (or the blower component of the driver) to be positioned such that it can blow a ball into and/or through the channel. In some embodiments, the driver (or a component of the driver) is configured to travel through the channel with the ball (e.g., if the driver includes a piston that pushes the ball through the channel).

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, some embodiments of the driver 82 include a wheel configured to spin (e.g., upon receipt of power input from the motor 80). In some such embodiments, the wheel is contoured in a concave configuration so that a surface of the wheel creates more surface area when in contact with a ball 50. In some embodiments, the degree of curvature of the external perimeter of the wheel corresponds to a degree of a curvature of a ball having a specific radius (e.g., the degree of curvature corresponds to the spherical surface of a tennis ball, a golf ball, a baseball, a basketball, an American football, and/or any other suitable ball). In some embodiments (and as clearly seen in FIG. 7B), the wheel has a concave curvature across a width of the wheel, which, like the curvature of the perimeter of the wheel, can correspond to the degree of curvature of a ball, thereby allowing the full width of the wheel to contact a surface of the ball (as opposed to only a portion of the width of the wheel).

While the driver 82 can be placed in any suitable location, in some embodiments, the driver is positioned within the entrance 72 of the channel 70 such that the driver can catch and pull balls into the channel and propel them along the channel. In some embodiments, the driver is positioned outside of the entrance of the channel and configured to propel balls into the entrance and along the channel. In some embodiments, the driver is positioned a distance from a bottom edge (and/or any other suitable portion) of the entrance, thereby being configured to engage with the top side (and/or any other suitable portion) of a ball. In some embodiments, such distance is approximately equal to or slightly less than a diameter of the target ball. For example, the distance may be approximately equal to the diameter of a tennis ball (±1 cm). In some embodiments, the driver is configured to impart sufficient power to a ball so as to propel the ball through the entirety of the channel. As an example, some embodiments of the driver are configured to spin with enough speed and force so as to propel a tennis ball upward through between 10 centimeters and 15 meters of vertical tubing (or any subrange thereof).

Although in embodiments with a curved portion 76 of the channel 70, such curved portion may include any suitable curve, twist, turn, or other feature capable or redirecting a ball 50, some embodiments of the curved portion are configured to compliment a motion and spin of the ball. As an example, in some embodiments the ball will have a strong spin in a direction that faces in the same direction as the entrance 72 of the channel (e.g., if the driver comprises a wheel, and the wheel exerts a large rotational force on the ball to propel it through the channel. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the curved portion faces in the same direction as the entrance so that the spin of the ball naturally causes the ball to move through the curved portion without resisting the direction change due to the spin of the ball. In an example embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 , the curved portion 76 faces in the same direction as the entrance 72 to thereby direct a ball through the curved portion of the channel 70 in the same plane as the plane of the entrance. Although the angle of curvature of the curved portion can be any suitable angle, in some embodiments the angle is a substantially horizontal angle (e.g., between 80 and 100 degrees relative to the portion of the channel just prior to the curved portion). In some embodiments, the angle and direction of curvature of the curved portion decreases the rate of rejection (e.g., in which a ball 50 propelled through the channel 70 and spinning from energy imparted by the driver 82 impacts the curved portion and, instead of continuing through the channel toward the exit 74, rebounds and travels through the channel in a retrograde direction (toward the entrance 72)).

Some embodiments of the collector 60 further include one or more hoppers 90. Although the hopper can be any holder or container capable of storing balls 50 and/or other sports equipment, in some embodiments, the hopper includes one or more buckets, baskets, and/or any other suitable receptacles that are configured to hold one or more balls. In some embodiments, the hopper is interchangeable with one or more other hoppers. In some embodiments, no hopper accompanies the ball collector system, but rather the user provides a hopper or designates another location for the ball collector system to deposit balls.

In some embodiments in which the collector 60 is used with one or more hoppers 90, the hopper includes one or more pitchers 92. In such embodiments, the pitcher may be any suitable mechanism capable of delivering a ball to an individual (e.g., pitching a baseball to a batter, serving a tennis ball to a player, etc.). In some embodiments, the pitcher is customizable, so that the player may vary the location, style, speed, and other parameters of the serve or pitch. In some embodiments, the pitcher is (or is configured to be) programmed to dispense balls in a particular routine, speed, timing, power, pattern, and/or in any other suitable manner. As an example, in some embodiments the channel 70 of one lift (e.g., first lift 64) leads to one pitcher with one configuration, while the channel of another lift (e.g., second lift 66) leads to another pitcher having different settings.

According to some embodiments, one or more of the backdrop 20, trough 40, and/or collector 60 is/are permanent fixtures of a playing area (or another area). For example, in some embodiments the backdrop is integrated into and/or permanently attached to a desired area, the trough is built or dug into a surface (e.g., the ground), and the lift is anchored in place (e.g., anchored to the ground or another surface, partially buried, or otherwise configured to be immovable). This notwithstanding, according to some embodiments, the ball collector system 15 (or one or more of the backdrop, trough, and/or collector) is highly portable, light, easy to set up, and readily adjustable. For example, in some embodiments, the backdrop and/or trough is made of lightweight materials such as nylon netting, polyethylene tarpaulin, and/or other light materials. In some embodiments, one or both of the backdrop and/or trough are configured to condense or pack down to less than 0.1 cubic meters, 0.5 cubic meters, 1 cubic meter, 2 cubic meters, 3 cubic meters, or between 0.01 and 5 cubic meters (or any subrange thereof) when not in use. Moreover, in some embodiments, the collector 60 is sufficiently small and lightweight be moved by one person (e.g., less than 100 kg, 90 kg, 80 kg, 70 kg, 60 kg, 50 kg, 40 kg, 30 kg, 20 kg, or 10 kg) and to fit in the trunk of a passenger car (e.g., less than 4 cubic meters, 3 cubic meters, 2 cubic meters, 1 cubic meter, or 0.5 cubic meters in volume).

The described ball collector system 15 can be used in any suitable manner. Although some methods for using the ball collector system are described herein, it should be understood that any suitable portion or portions of such methods can be rearranged, omitted, added to, replaced, performed in series, performed in parallel, and/or can otherwise be modified in any suitable manner.

In any case, some embodiments of method 100 for using the ball collector system 15 are shown in FIG. 8A. In particular, FIG. 8A shows that, in some embodiments, the method includes: dampening a movement of a ball using the backdrop 20 (as shown at box 102); changing a trajectory of the ball to direct it to a trough 40 (as shown at box 104); moving the ball along the trough to a designated location (as shown at box 106); and/or collecting the ball from the trough using a collector 60 (as shown at box 108).

As another example of a suitable method, FIG. 8B shows that, in some embodiments, the method 110 includes one or more setup steps, such as spreading the backdrop 20 to cover an area (as shown at box 112), anchoring the backdrop to one or more surfaces, placing the trough 40 so it is positioned along a skirt portion of the backdrop (as shown at box 114), and placing the collector 60 on (or in) the trough (as shown at box 116).

With reference back to FIG. 8A, in some embodiments, the method 100 includes dampening a movement of the ball using a backdrop 20 (as shown at box 102). Although this can include any suitable dampening, in some embodiments, it includes dampening by reason of the ball colliding with the backdrop while the ball is in motion. The backdrop can have tension applied (e.g., by virtue of the backdrop being anchored to one or more surfaces). In some embodiments, the tension of the backdrop is set to cause the dampening of the ball to be such that the ball does not rebound a large distance off the backdrop, but rather loses the vast majority of its momentum (e.g., due to a kinetic energy transfer to the net or other backdrop), whereupon (in some embodiments) the balls falls/rolls down the backdrop due to the force of gravity.

The described method 100, in accordance with some embodiments, includes changing a trajectory of the ball to direct it to a trough 40 (as shown at 104). Again, in some embodiments, this is accomplished by force of gravity that pulls the ball (whose motion has been dampened by the backdrop 20) toward the earth, whereby the ball falls off the backdrop into the trough. In some embodiments, the backdrop is angled to direct a rolling ball into the trough. In some embodiments, a lower anchor line of the backdrop creates a lip, off of which one or more balls may roll in order to land in the trough with greater consistency.

Some embodiments of the method 100 include moving the ball along the trough 40 to a designated location (as shown at box 106). In some embodiments, this is accomplished by configuring the trough in such a manner that the ball moves along the trough due to the force of gravity. For example, the trough may be slanted, angled, slumped, curved, and/or sloped (e.g., toward a low point) to cause balls to move along the trough toward a desired location. In some embodiments, however, the ball is moved along the trough through automated or manual means (e.g., pushing, blowing, hitting, towing, vibrating, sucking, movement of an auger, movement of a twisting coil, and/or in any other suitable manner).

Some embodiments of the method 100 of FIG. 8A include collecting the ball from the trough 40 through use the collector 60 (as shown at 108). Although such collecting can be accomplished in any suitable manner, in some embodiments, the collecting the ball from the trough using the collector includes engaging the ball with a lift (e.g., lift 64 and/or 66) of the collector, and using the lift to cause the ball to move along a channel 70 of the collector to a designated or predetermined point. In some embodiments, the causing the ball to move along the channel to the predetermined point includes propelling the ball along the channel using one or more drivers 82 (such as a wheel or another driver) powered by a motor.

With reference again to the setup method 110 FIG. 8B, while such method can include any suitable process for setting up a ball collector system, such as the ball collector system 15 discussed herein. In some embodiments, however, the setup method includes spreading a backdrop 20 to cover an area (as shown at box 112). This can include any suitable spreading of the backdrop, including spreading the entire backdrop or only a portion of the backdrop. In some embodiments, spreading the backdrop includes anchoring the backdrop to one or more surfaces. In some embodiments, spreading the backdrop includes ensuring that the backdrop is in an orientation that is more vertical than horizontal. In some embodiments, spreading the backdrop includes adjusting the tension in the backdrop in order to reach a desired tension (e.g., a tension at which the motion of a ball is dampened by the backdrop, as opposed to causing the ball to rebound from the backdrop).

Some embodiments of the setup method 110 include positioning the trough 40 along a skirt (or at any other suitable portion) of the backdrop 20 (as shown at box 114). In some embodiments, the skirt portion of the backdrop simply comprises a bottom edge of the backdrop, but in some embodiments, the skirt portion comprises a separate section of the backdrop (e.g., separated from a body of the backdrop by a lower anchor line), such that the skirt portion can have a different length, different tension, different width, and/or any other suitable characteristic or characteristics that differentiate it from the body of the backdrop. In some embodiments, positioning the trough along the skirt portion includes coupling the trough to the skirt portion, while in other embodiments it includes placing the skirt portion on (or in) the trough, or placing the trough on the skirt portion. In any case, in some embodiments, the positioning of the trough includes aligning the backdrop and the trough in such a manner that at least some balls whose motion is dampened by the backdrop fall, roll, and/or are otherwise redirected into the trough.

Some embodiments of the setup method 110 include placing a collector 60 on the trough 40 (as shown at box 116). While the collector can be placed on the trough in any suitable manner, some embodiments include placing the collector on the trough at a low point such that balls naturally roll down the trough toward the collector. Some embodiments include placing the collector on the trough in such a manner that a low point is created in the location of the collector (e.g., because the collector weighs down a portion of the trough, while one or both ends of the trough are fixed at a height above the ground). In some embodiments, the entire collector is placed on (or in) the trough, whereas in other embodiments, only a portion of the collector (e.g., a portion having one or more lifts) is placed on (or in) the trough.

In accordance with some embodiments, the described ball collector system 15 with its various components (e.g., the backdrop 20, trough 40, and/or collector 60) are configured to be setup and taken down relatively easily and/or regularly. In some other embodiments, however, one or more portions of the ball collector system are configured to be permanently installed (e.g., with concrete, by being bolted into place, by being permanently anchored in place, by being welded in place, and/or in any other suitable manner).

According to some embodiments of the described ball collector system 15, a single method includes the combination of both method 100 and the setup method 110.

Representative Operating Environment

As mentioned previously, some embodiments of the described ball collector system 15 (e.g., embodiments that include one or more motors, motorized adjustment mechanisms, pitchers, etc.) comprise one or more processors. In this regard, the described ball collector system can be used with, or in, any suitable operating environment and/or software. In this regard, FIG. 9 and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a general description of a suitable operating environment in accordance with some embodiments of the described systems and methods. As will be further discussed below, some embodiments embrace the use of one or more processing (including, without limitation, micro-processing) units in a variety of customizable enterprise configurations, including in a networked configuration, which may also include any suitable cloud-based service, such as a platform as a service or software as a service.

Some embodiments of the described systems and methods embrace one or more computer readable media, wherein each medium may be configured to include or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions for manipulating data. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer executable instructions include data structures, objects, programs, routines, and/or other program modules that can be accessed by one or more processors, such as one associated with a general-purpose processing unit capable of performing various different functions or one associated with a special-purpose processing unit capable of performing a limited number of functions. In this regard, in some embodiments, the processing unit comprises a specialized processing unit that is configured for use with the described ball collector system 15.

Computer executable instructions cause the one or more processors of the enterprise to perform a particular function or group of functions and are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods of processing. Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executable instructions provides an example of corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps.

Examples of computer readable media (including non-transitory computer readable media) include random-access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or any other device or component that is capable of providing data or executable instructions that may be accessed by a processing unit.

With reference to FIG. 9 , a representative system includes computer device 400 (e.g., one or more processors), which may be a general-purpose or special-purpose computer (or processing unit). For example, computer device 400 may be one or more processors, personal computers, notebook computers, PDAs or other hand-held devices, workstations, minicomputers, mainframes, supercomputers, multi-processor systems, network computers, processor-based consumer devices, cellular phones, tablet computers, smart phones, feature phones, smart appliances or devices, pitchers or pitching machines, control systems, or the like.

Computer device 400 includes system bus 405, which may be configured to connect various components thereof and enables data to be exchanged between two or more components. System bus 405 may include one of a variety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of bus architectures. Typical components connected by system bus 405 include processing system 410 and memory 420. Other components may include one or more mass storage device interfaces 430, input interfaces 440, output interfaces 450, and/or network interfaces 460, each of which will be discussed below.

Processing system 410 includes one or more processors, such as a central processor and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system 410 that executes the instructions provided on computer readable media, such as on the memory 420, a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communication connection, which may also be viewed as a computer readable medium.

Memory 420 includes one or more computer readable media (including, without limitation, non-transitory computer readable media) that may be configured to include or includes thereon data or instructions for manipulating data and may be accessed by processing system 410 through system bus 405. Memory 420 may include, for example, ROM 422, used to permanently store information, and/or RAM 424, used to temporarily store information. ROM 422 may include a basic input/output system (“BIOS”) having one or more routines that are used to establish communication, such as during start-up of computer device 400. RAM 424 may include one or more program modules, such as one or more operating systems, application programs, and/or program data.

One or more mass storage device interfaces 430 may be used to connect one or more mass storage devices 432 to the system bus 405. The mass storage devices 432 may be incorporated into or may be peripheral to the computer device 400 and allow the computer device 400 to retain large amounts of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices 432 may be removable from computer device 400. Examples of mass storage devices include hard disk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives, solid state mass storage, and optical disk drives.

Examples of solid-state mass storage include flash cards and memory sticks. A mass storage device 432 may read from and/or write to a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or another computer readable medium. Mass storage devices 432 and their corresponding computer readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data and/or executable instructions that may include one or more program modules, such as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein.

One or more input interfaces 440 may be employed to enable a user to enter data (e.g., initial information) and/or instructions to computer device 400 through one or more corresponding input devices 442. Examples of such input devices include a keyboard and/or alternate input devices, such as one or more switches, buttons, dials, sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, G-force sensors, RPM sensors, color sensors, heart rate sensors, blood pressure sensors, conductivity sensors, sweat sensors, and/or any other suitable type of sensors, including, without limitation, those discussed elsewhere herein), ball radar, ball speed detectors, digital cameras, pin pads, touch screens, mice, trackballs, light pens, styluses, or other pointing devices, microphones, joysticks, game pads, scanners, camcorders, and/or other input devices. Similarly, examples of input interfaces 440 that may be used to connect the input devices 442 to the system bus 405 include a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus (“USB”), a firewire (IEEE 1394), a wireless receiver, a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallel port, a wireless transmitter, or another interface. In some embodiments, in input interface communicates with the processing system and memory, and is therefore configured to allow the user to start and stop the various components of the ball collector system 15, set run times, start a ball counter, instruct the processing system to save power by using various sensors to determine when to start and stop the lifting device, adjust the backdrop and/or the trough, or make any other suitable changes to the ball collector system.

One or more output interfaces 450 may be employed to connect one or more corresponding output devices 452 to system bus 405. Examples of output devices include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a wireless transmitter, a printer, and the like. A particular output device 452 may be integrated with or peripheral to computer device 400. Examples of output interfaces include a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallel port, and the like.

One or more network interfaces 460 enable computer device 400 to exchange information with one or more local or remote computer devices, illustrated as computer devices 462, via a network 464 that may include one or more hardwired and/or wireless links. Examples of the network interfaces include a network adapter for connection to a local area network (“LAN”) or a modem, BLUETOOTH, Wi-Fi, a cellular connection, a wireless link, or another adapter for connection to a wide area network (“WAN”), such as the Internet. The network interface 460 may be incorporated with or be peripheral to computer device 400.

In a networked system, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored in a remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked system computer device 400 may participate in a distributed computing environment, where functions or tasks are performed by a plurality networked computer devices. While those skilled in the art will appreciate that the described systems and methods may be practiced in networked computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, FIG. 10 represents an embodiment of a portion of the described systems (e.g., the ball collector system 15 with one or more electronically controlled motors, adjusters, movers, drivers, pitchers, etc.) in a networked environment that includes clients (465, 470, 475, etc.) connected to a server 485 via a network 460. While FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment that includes three clients (e.g., the cover cleaner) connected to the network, alternative embodiments include at least one client connected to a network or many clients connected to a network. Moreover, embodiments in accordance with the described systems and methods also include a multitude of clients throughout the world connected to a network, where the network is a wide area network, such as the Internet. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the described systems and methods can allow for remote: monitoring, training, communication, observation, control, adjustment, troubleshooting, data collecting, system optimization, user interaction, and/or other controlling of any suitable portion of the described ball collector system 15 from one or more places throughout the world. Thus, for example, the ball collector system may be turned on, warmed up, adjusted, and/or otherwise prepared for use remotely, such as while a user is away from the playing field, or upon arrival but before the user is ready to use the ball collector system, when the user is playing (e.g., to modify a speed at which balls are returned).

In some embodiments, the processing system 410 includes one or more sensors. For example, in some embodiments one or more sensors is coupled to the backdrop 20, trough 40, and/or collector 60 to determine whether a ball: has struck the backdrop, entered the trough, is moving down the trough, is approaching the collector, and/or has entered the lift of the collector. In some embodiments, the sensors activate various portions of the ball collector system (e.g., the motor 80 may be activated when a ball in sensed to be approaching the collector; the pitcher may be activated when a ball has entered the lift; adjusters may be activated to change the style of pitch of the automatic pitcher based on where a ball struck on the backdrop as measured by information received from various sensors; adjusters may be activated to modify a tension of the backdrop; and/or the system may otherwise be varied based on feedback from one or more sensors).

In some embodiments, the processing system 410 is configured to determine, based on sensor data and instructions in the memory 420, whether a ball 50 is stuck within the collector 60 (e.g., within the channel 70). In some embodiments, the processing system is configured to cause the driver 82 to stop if the processing system determines that a ball is stuck, thus preventing a hazardous buildup of balls in the collector. In some such embodiments, the processing system is configured to cause the driver to run in reverse, thus clearing balls from the collector.

The described systems and methods may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments, examples, cases, and illustrations are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the described systems and methods is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Moreover, any component, feature, element, limitation, alternative, and characteristic from any embodiments, implementations, examples, cases, and illustrations set forth herein can be combined, mixed and matched, and/or otherwise used together in any suitable manner with any other components, features, elements, limitations, alternatives, embodiments, examples, cases, implementations, or characteristics from one or more other embodiments, implementations, cases, examples, and illustrations provided herein. Furthermore, any and all of the claims included herein can claim dependency or multi-dependency from any other claim or claims. Use of the terms “other”, “different”, “some”, and other similar terms (e.g., “in some other embodiments”) are in no case to be interpreted herein as being mutually exclusive.

In addition, as the terms on, disposed on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, etc. are used herein, one object (e.g., a material, element, structure, member, etc.) can be on, disposed on, attached to, connected to, or otherwise coupled to another object—regardless of whether the one object is directly on, attached, connected, or coupled to the other object, or whether there are one or more intervening objects between the one object and the other object. Also, directions (e.g., front back, on top of, below, above, top, bottom, side, up, down, under, over, upper, lower, lateral, right-side, left-side, base, etc.), if provided, are relative and provided solely by way of example and for ease of illustration and discussion and not by way of limitation. Where reference is made to a list of elements (e.g., elements a, b, c), such reference is intended to include any one of the listed elements by itself, any combination of less than all of the listed elements, and/or a combination of all of the listed elements. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms a, an, and one may each be interchangeable with the terms at least one and one or more. Moreover, the term “or” by itself is not exclusive (and therefore may be interpreted to mean “and/or”) unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms “including”, “having”, “such as”, “for example”, “e.g.”, and any similar terms are not intended to limit the disclosure, and may be interpreted as being followed by the words “without limitation”. 

1. A ball collector system comprising: a trough; a backdrop configured to catch a ball and redirect it toward the trough; and a collector configured to collect the ball from the trough.
 2. The ball collector system of claim 1, wherein the backdrop comprises: an anchor configured to secure the backdrop to a surface; a body portion; and a skirt portion.
 3. The ball collector system of claim 2, wherein the trough is coupled to the skirt portion of the backdrop.
 4. The ball collector system of claim 1, wherein the trough is configured to form a depression that slopes toward a low point, thereby directing the ball toward the low point.
 5. The ball collector system of claim 4, wherein the collector is situated within the depression of the trough at the low point.
 6. The ball collector system of claim 1, wherein the collector comprises: a lift; and a channel, wherein the lift is configured to cause the ball to move through the channel to a designated location.
 7. The ball collector system of claim 6, wherein the channel comprises a tube.
 8. The ball collector system of claim 6, wherein the lift comprises a motor that powers a driver configured to propel the ball through the channel.
 9. The ball collector system of claim 8, wherein the driver comprises a wheel.
 10. A method for collecting a ball, wherein the method comprises: dampening a movement of the ball using a backdrop; changing a trajectory of the ball to direct it to a trough; moving the ball along the trough to a designated location; and collecting the ball from the trough using a collector.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the collector comprises a lift and a channel, and wherein the collecting the ball from the trough using the collector comprises: engaging the ball with the lift; and using the lift to cause the ball to move along the channel to a predetermined point.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the using the lift to cause the ball to move along the channel to the predetermined point comprises propelling the ball along the channel using a driver powered by a motor.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the driver comprises a wheel.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: spreading the backdrop to cover an area; placing the trough so that it is positioned along a skirt portion of the backdrop; and placing the collector on the trough.
 15. A collector comprising: a first lift facing a first direction, the first lift comprising: a channel having an entrance and an exit; a driver configured to act on a ball near the entrance to draw the ball into the channel and propel the ball through the channel and out the exit; and a motor configured to power the driver.
 16. The collector of claim 15, further comprising a second lift positioned opposite the first lift and facing a second direction.
 17. The collector of claim 15, wherein the driver comprises a wheel.
 18. The collector of claim 17, wherein the wheel is positioned within the entrance to the channel, elevated, and configured to spin such that the wheel is configured to engage with a top surface of the ball when the ball is placed near the entrance.
 19. The collector of claim 18, wherein a distance between the wheel and a ground surface is slightly less than a diameter of the ball.
 20. The collector of claim 15, wherein the motor is configured to be switched on and off remotely. 